Weighing scale



Feb. 8, 1944. M. D. VARNEY ETAL WEIGHING SCALE Filed March 51, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Q u w N. m: D \rl/z N. A W .3 I o m mml L n8 m 9 al a 8 w n8 INVENTORS Manford D. Vorney. Lawrence H. Spiers. Y

M. D. VARNEY ETAL. 2,341,507

WEIGHING SCALE Filed March 31, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 8, 1944.

INVENTORS Manford D. Varney. Lawrcnca H. Spiers.

5 Sheets-Sheet 5 R M v 1944- M. D. VARNEY ET AL WEIGHING SCALE Filed March 31, 1942 L l B INVENTORS Monford DVomzy. Lowrencz H. fipmr's Feb. 8, 1944.

M. D. VARNEY ET AL WEIGHING SCALE Filed March 31, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 M f IAQVgNORS on or arpey.

F19. BY Lawrence H.8p1ers.

Feb. 8, 1944. VARNEY r 2,341,507

WEIGHING SCALE Filed March 31, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Monford D. Vorncy By Lawrenca H. S piers.

Patented Feb. 8, 1944 WEIGHING SCALE Manford D. Vamey an Columbus, Ohio, assign Scale Company, Colu tion of Ohio d Lawrence H. Spiers, ors to The Exact Weight mbus, Ohio, a corpora- Application March 31, 1942, Serial No. 437,047

4 Claims.

to weighing scales. It has to do, more particularly, with that type of weighing scales commonly referred to as overand-under weight scales, although there are features of our invention not necessarily limited thereto.

In the use of over-and-under weight scales in association with mechanism for automatically delivering packages or articles to be checked for over and under weight and, in general, in the check-weighing of various articles by means of such a scale, it is usually a slow process. This is due to the fact that when the scale i set for a predetermined load, the beam is always out of balanced Our invention relates the packages or articles are underweight, overweight or correct weight.

Another object of our invention is to provide a weighing scale for check-marking packages or weighing operation will start from a preselected position.

Another object of our invention is to provide a weighing scal of the type indicated in the preceding paragraph which is of such a nature that the beam will be automatically unlocked after a package or article to be weighed is positioned on the scale.

Various other objects the following description.

In its preferred form will be apparent from our invention contemplates the provision of a weighing scale adapted to be used, preferably, for check-weighing various articles or packages to determine whether they are underweight, overweight or correct weight. The weighing scale preferably embodies an even balanced beam, although other types may be employed, having indicating mechanism associated therewith for indicating th position of the beam. We provide means for locking the beam or lever at a predetermined position, preferably at balance, prior to the time the article to be weighed is positioned on the scale. This locking means ma take various forms and may act directly on the beam, the platform carried thereby or the indicating mechanism connected thereto.. We also preferably provide automatic means for unlocking the beam after the article to be weighed is positioned on the scale.

It will be apparent that if the beam is locked in balanced position and the indicator connected thereto is, therefore, in zero position, when the beam is released, the weighing operation starts from balanced position. The beam and indicator may then swing to either the overweight space or the underweight space and will, therefore, quickly indicate whether the article is overweight or underweight. We may provide means associated with this scale for automatically delivering the articles thereto and for automatically separating the articles into groups of correct weight articles, overweight articles and underweight articles. Furthermore, we may provide means for merely signaling whether the articles are underweight or overweight. After the article is weighed by our scale, the locking means preferably again functions automatically to lock the beam in the predetermined position preparatory to the next weighing operation.

The preferred embodiment of our invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein similar characters of reference designate corresponding parts and wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a weighing system embodying the principles of our invention and havin automatic article-feeding and grouping means.

Figure '7 is a plan View of .one endof thebeam showing how the switch is actuated. in .orderrto operate the beam-locking means.

Figure 8 is a side elevational view of the structure shown in Figure '7.

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure"? but "showing mechanical means for locking the beam.

Figure 10 is an end view of the structure shown Figure 9'.

Figure 1115' a front elevational view" of asimple ove'r and-underweight' scale havingmeans for locking the beam in balanced-position and means for signalling overweight and underweight;

Figure 12 is a similar view showing'di'fiferent means for locking the beam; the scale being-provided with means for signalling" overweight.

Figure l3is a-view similar to Figure 11 but 'illustrating a scale for signalling underweight only.

With reference to the drawings, in Figures 1 to ll); inclusive, we have illustrated a-weighing system embodyingthe principles of our invention. This weighingsystem takes the form of a continuouslyrotating turret! carrying a series of radially'projecting' weighing units 2'. A unit 3' is positioned at a predetermined circumferential' poi'n't' along the path of movement of the outer ends ofunits 2 for automatically feeding articles to be weighed to such units as they continuou'sly move past the unit 3. A unit' l' islo' cate'd at another circumferential. point for removing underweight articles. Similarly, a unit 5 is provided'at' another circumferential pointfor removing overweight articles whilea unit G is provided at still another circumferential. point for removing correctweight articles. With this weighing system, as will appear later; the articles are automatically positioned on the weighing unit and the articles are separated into groups of underweight articles, overweight-articles and correct weight articles during the continuous movement of the turret 2.

The rotatable turret I is mounted on a vertical column I. This columnis. carried by'a base 8-. The turret l embodies a series ofradially projecting arms 9 secured to each other by meansofa central collar. l!!- (Figures 1 ands). Thiscollar If] is bolted by bolts v H to. a large pulley l2. Thecollar I and'the pulley I2 are rotatably mounted: on the column 1. The pulley it rests on abushing I3 supported by an annular shoulder on the collar. The pulley I2 is driven by a belt it (Figure l) which passes around it and around vertical sheaves l which are rotatably carried by a bracket it. The. bracket I5 is carried by the column 1. The belt M passes around'a large vertical sheave by'an' electric motor and. gear reduction unit I8. The unit I8 is carried by a bracket 19 secured to column I; Thus, the unit It will serve to continuously rotate the arms 9 of the turret i.

Any desired number of arms 9 may be proided. We have shown five of these arms. Each i! which is driven l to support 22. The .outrider arm carries one of the weighing units 2. As shown best in Figures 1, 3 and 4, each weighing unit 2 embodies a beam or lever 25 preferably of the even balanced type. The beam or lever 22% is fulcrumed intermediate its ends, as at 2!, on the upper end of a vertical support 22 secured at its lower end to the arm 9 by means of bolts 23. At its outer end the beam or lever 28 carries an outrider element 26 which is pivotally mounted on the beam as at 25. This outrider element has its lower end pivotally secured, as at'2B', to the outer end of a check rod 21'. The inner end of this check rod 21 is pivotally connected'as at 28, to a yoke member 23 anchored 24 carries on its upper end the article-receiving platform 3%). The inner end of the lever or beam 29 carries a poise 3 whichmay be adjusted to any selected position .therealong. The outer end of member 2!! is pivotally connected at 32 to the upper end of a rod 33which carriesa-piston on its lower :end that forms a piart'of thedashpot The dashpot 34 is supported on the'outer endofarm-fl: The inner end of beam Zilis connected by, arms 35 'to indicating mechanism which is designated generally by the numeral 35 and is carried by arm 9. This mechanism may be of any suitable type; For example, itmay be of the type-disclosed in the patentto Walter I. Smith, No. 1,405,634, issued February '7, 1922, or in the patent to Manford D. Varney, No. 1,969,632, issued August '7, 1934:.- It preferably includes an indicator 3'! cooperating with an over-and-underweight chart38.-

Theweighingunit'Z will function in the usual mannerfor'an over-and-underweight scale. The weight 3| will be moved to such' a position on the beam or lever'2il that it will balance a predetermined weight on the platform 38. The article to be weighedwill then be positioned on the platform3ll and the-indicatorpointeriiland cooperating 'chart: 38 will indicate whether the ar-' ticle is correct weight, overweight or underweight. The check rod structure 21 will serve r tokeepthe platform 39' horizontal regardless of the movement'of the beam 26 The dashpot 3% will dampenvibration of the beam.

Aspreviously indicated, we provide means for locking'the beam 20 in a predetermined position before the article to be weighed is positioned on the platform 30'. This means preferably locks the beamlfl at balanced position and the indicator pointer: 3'! at zero position. As shown best inFigures 3 and 4, this locking means comprises apairof tong members 38 pivoted together, as at 40, and'having" gripping portions ll on their outer ends. As'shown in Figure 3, these portions M are adaptedto grip a boss' 52 carried by the rod 33 of the dashpot mechanism E l. A torsion spring 43disposed around the pivot 40 normally keeps the gripping portions M apart. The gripping portions M may be swung into operative relationship with each' other at the proper time by means of'rollers l l'engaging the inner ends of members 39 which are carried by a support d5. This support 45 is pivotally connected to a yoke 45 which is connected to the core of a solenoid 41. An inward pull on the yoke 68 by the solenoidlll, when it is'energized, will result in swinging of .the portions M into gripping relationship with the boss 42 on rod 33. The tongs 39 are pivoted on the upper'end of a post 48. This post hasits lower end bolted by a bolt 39 to the arm 9. Its upper end carries a bracket 4311 which supports on its' outer end the solenoid 41.

The solenoid 41 is adapted to be energized at the proper times by means of a mercury switch 50 of the usual type which is illustrated in Figures 3 to 8. This switch 50 is pivotally mounted as at 5! on the outer end of the arm 9. It carries an operating finger 52 on its outer or free end which will engage a cam 53 at a predetermined period during rotation of the turret 1. Normally the switch 50 hangs in the position indicated in Figure 5 and breaks the circuit. However, when finger 52 contacts the cam 53, the switch is swung upwardly and'makes contact. A wire 54 leads from the switch 50 along arm 9 to a terminal member 55 (Figure 4) which is carried by the arm and contacts. with the terminal ring 56. A wire 51 also leads from the switch 50 and is connected to solenoid 41 and then to a terminal 59 carried by arm 8 and which contacts with a terminal ring 50., The rings 56 and 60 are disposed in surrounding relationship to the stationary column 1 and are connected by lines 6! and 62 respectively to a suitable source of power. Thus, it will be apparent that the switch 50 will control the solenoid 41, the solenoid being deen-. ergized normally,

As previously indicated, articles are adapted to be positioned automatically on the platforms 30 of the units 2 by means of the unit 3 as the platforms 30 are moved past the unit 3. The unit 3 embodies a continuously moving endless conveyer 63 disposed tangential to the path of movement of the platforms 3!]. As shown best in Figure 2. the platform 30 will be disposed directly adjacent the edge of the conveyer 63 as it moves past said conveyer. The outer edge of platform 30 is curved to prevent interference with the edge of the belt. At the point where the platform 30 moves closely adjacent the conveyer 63, we provide a reciprocating member 64 which is adapted to engage the articles on the conveyer 63 and slide them from the conveyer onto the platform 30. This reciprocating member 64 is carried on the outer end of a lazy tong structure 65. This tong structure 65 is pivoted to a horizontal support 66 as at 67. Its outer end is connected to the upper end of a rod 63, as shown best in Figure 1. This rod may move longitudinally of support 66 in a slot 69. The lower end of the rod 68 is connected at 10 to the outer end of a rod H which is disposed for horizontal reciprocation in bearing a 12 carried by a, support 13 which supports the conveyer 63. A spring i4 normally keeps the rod 1| in its innermost position and, therefore, normally prevents extension of the tong structure 65. Under this condition the member 64 will be at the outer edge of the conveyer 63. The inner end of rod H carries a roller 15 adapted to engage a cam 16 carried on the outer end of each arm 9. When each arm 9 swings into cooperating relationship with the unit 3, the roller 15 will engage the cam 16 on such arm and the lazy tong structure 55 will be actuated to move member 64 inwardly and slide the article from conveyer 63 onto platform 39-. It will be understood that the articles to be weighed will be properly spaced on conveyer 63 and movement of the conveyer will be timed with movement of the turret I.

As previously indicated, it is desirable to lock the beam 20 prior to the time that an article is positioned on the platform. 39. Consequently, as shown best in Figure 7, the cam 53 for operating each of the switches 58 is so disposed relative to cam 15 that the finger 52, carried by the switch, will contact cam 53 before cam 16 will contact roller 15, which causes the article to be moved onto platform 30. Thus, the locking mechanism for the beam 20 will be actuated before the means for positioning the article on the platform 30 is actuated. The cam 53, as shown in Figure 7, is carried by the support 13 of the unit 3. As soon as the finger 52 engages cam 53, the solenoid 41 of the particular unit 2 will be energized and will actuate the beam locking means. As soon as finger 52 leaves cam 53 the solenoid 41 will be deenergized and the beam locking means will be released. When the beam is locked in balanced position, the platform 33 will be at the same level as conveyer 63.

In Figures 9 and 10, we show different means for locking the beam before the article is positioned on the platform 33. In this instance, the outer end of beam or lever 20 carries a roller 52a which passes into a cam groove of a cam 53a. This cam 53a is adjustably carried on supports which are connected by slot and pin connections 53b to a vertical support 13a. With this structure, as the arm 9 moves into association with unit 3, the roller 52a will enter the cam groove and will lock the lever or beam 23 in position. As soon as the roller 52a moves out of the cam groove, the beam or lever will be unlocked.

After the arm 9 and the weighing member 2 carried thereby move away from the unit 3, the weighing operation will take place. As soon as the beam is unlocked, it will be free to move into the underweight position or the overweight position depending upon whether the article is underweight or overweight. If the article is underweight, it is removed when the platform 30 swings to a position adjacent the unit 4. This unit 4 embodies a continuously moving endless conveyer 1! similar to the conveyer 3. This conveyer 71 will be at a slightly lower level than the underweight position of platform 30. For removing the underweight article from the platform 39 and positioning it on conveyer ll we provide a member it which is reciprocable over the platform 30. This member 18 is carried by a radially extending arm 19 (Figures 1 and 2) which is carried by the stationary column 7. The member 18 is moved by a lazy tong structure which is pivoted to arm l9, as at 8!. The inner end of this tong structure 89 is connected to the outer end of the core 82 of a solenoid 83 supported on the arm 19. A spring 84 normally keeps the core 82 in its outermost position and, therefore, normally keeps the tong structure 80 contracted, with the member 18 adjacent the inner edge of platform 30. However, when platform 30 moves adjacent the unit 4, the solenoid 83 is energized and draws the core 82 inwardly, expending tong structure 8!! and moving member 78 outwardly. This will slide the underweight article from platform 353 onto conveyer 4.

For energizing the solenoid 83 when the plat form reaches the unit 4, if the article is underweight, we provide the following structure, which is shown best in Figures 1, 3, 5 and 6. This structure embodies a finger 85 carried by the inner end of beam or lever 23. This finger is adapted to engage a cam finger 85 carried by a mercury switch 87. This switch 8'! is pivotally carried by a plate 88 which is mounted for verti cal movement at a predetermined circumferential position in a slot 88a on the column 1, as shown best in Figure 6. The switch 3! is normally inoperative but is adjusted to such a vertical position on the column I that if the inner end of lever 20 swings upwardly as it moves away from unit 3, the switch 8'! will be engaged by-the finger 85, at the time the platform 39 reaches unit 4, and will complete the circuit to solenoid 83 at that instant, energizing the solenoid and causing the member I8 to move the. article from platform 3% onto conveyer 4. The switch 8'! is connected in series to acircuit for solenoid 83. If the article is not underweight, the finger 85 on the beam or lever 26 will miss thefinger 86 of switch 81 as it moves past the switch and will not actuate the switch.

The platform 38 will next move adjacent the unit where overweight articles are adapted to be removed automatically. This unit 5. includes an endlessconveyer 9I which will be below the level of the overweight position of the platform 39. When the platform 39 is adjacent this uni 5and the article is overweight, the article-engaging member 92 will be actuated by the lazy tong structure 93 carried by radially extending arm 84, to. shove the article off the platform 35 and onto. the conveyer 9!. The member 92 will be moved in the same manner as the member I8. For this purpose, a second mercury switch 810:. will be provided at the proper circumferential point and at the proper height on column I. If the article carried by platform 3c is overweight, the inner end of beam 29 will swing upwardly and the finger 85 carried thereby will engage the switch 8M which is connected in series to the circuit for the solenoid 33a which controls movement of member 82. Similarly, if the article on platform 3! is correct weight, it will be removed automatically by the unit 8. This unit 6 embodies a continuously moving endless conveyer 95 which will be below the level if of the correct weight position of the conveyor 95'. As the platform 30 moves adjacent this unit 6, if the article is correct weight, a member 35: will be moved across platform 33 to shove the article onto conveyer 6. Member 96 will be moved by a lazy tong structure Bl carried by an arm 58 extending radially from column i. This tong structure is controlled by a solenoid 831) which is controlled by mercury switch 81b connected in series thereto and carried by the column I at the proper circumferential point and proper height. If the article on the platform 39 is'correct weight, the finger 85 of beam 29 will engage the switch 811) and cause it to complete the circuit to solenoid 8319. This will actuate member 96.

It will be understood that the switches 8i, 8M and 872) are of different heights so that they will be in the proper vertical positions to be engaged by finger 85 carried by the beam when the beam is moved to the different position due to underweight, overweight or correct weight articles being on platform 39. During the continuous movement of the turret, the article will be positioned on the platforms 30 by unit 3. Aseach platform 30 moves into association with unit 3, the beam 26 of each unit 2 will be locked in balanced position. As the platform continues to move away from unit 3, the beam will be un locked and the weighing operation will start from balance. If the article is underweight, it will be removed automatically when the platform reaches unit 4. If it is overweight it will be removed automatically when the platform reaches unit 5. If it is correct weight, it will be removed automatically when it reaches the unit 6.

It will be apparent that we may provide as many weighing units on the rotating turret as desired. Furthermore, the. articles may be automatically separated into more than three groups depending upon their weight. For example, instead of separating the articles according, to.

underweight, overweight and correct weight, we

may separate the articles automatically .into various groups having preselected weights.

In Figure 11 we have illustrated a simple overand-underweight scale embodying, certainprinciples of our invention. This scale. may be of the general structure illustrated in Smith Patent No. 1,405,634. It embodies a base I00 having an indicator housing IllI carried thereby intermediate the ends thereof. On the base is fulcrumed an even balanced lever I02. This lever has outrider elements I03 and I04 pivotally carried by opposite ends thereof. The elements )3 and IM carry commodity and weight platters I05 and IE5, respectively. For locking the lever I02 in balancedposition before the article ispositioned on platter I05, weprovide alocking lever I01. This lever IE1 is pivoted at IIl8-to asupport I09. secured to indicator housing IBI. The lever I01 carries adjacent its lowerend a roller III which normally engages the. top surface of platter I05. It also carries at its extreme lower end a roller Ill which engages the lower surface of platter Hi5. Thus, the platter I05 is normally locked in a predetermined position and, consequently, the beam I92 is locked in balanced position. A stop portion IIZ carried on the upper end of lever IlB'I engages support I09 and limits swinging of lever Illl in one direction.

When an article is positioned on platter I05, as shown by the dotted line in Figure 11, the lever It? is swung inwardly and upwardly, as shown by the dotted line. This will move the rollers I I0 and I I I to such positions that vertical movement of platter I05 in either direction will be permitted. Thus, the lever will move either into the overweight space or the underweight space and actuate the indicating mechanism accordingly. If the article is underweight, a contact member H3 carried by the weight end of the lever will engage a contact H4 and close'the bell circuit H5, giving a signal that the article is underweight. If the article is overweight, the commodity end of the lever will move downwardly causing contact I IE to engage contact I I1 and close bell circuit I I8 giving a signal that the article is overweight. As soon as the article is removed, the lever ill! will swing by gravity down to its original position and lock the platter I05 in position.

In Figure 13 we illustrate a scale which is the same as that shown in Figure 11 with the exception that the lever is prevented from moving into the underweight position only. In this instance we provide a locking lever Ill'Ia similar to lever Ill'I except that it does not have a roller engag ing the lower surface of platter 35a. We merely provide a roller I Illa in engagement with the top surface of the platter. Thus, the lever I02awill not move into underweight position while the locking lever IIl'Ia, is in position. If an article is positioned on platter I05a, it will swing lever idle to the dotted line position and will unlock the lever IfiZa. If the article is underweight, the platter Illiia will be free to move upwardly. The weight end of lever IllZa will be moved downwardly causing contact 3:1 to contact member Ilia and close bell circuit I I5a, giving a signal that the article is underweight.

In Figure 12 we show a scale structure which will give a signal if the article is overweight and which looks the beam in balanced position by or underweight.

scale mechanism.

electric means. The general structure of the scale is substantially the same as that shown in Figures 11 and 13. A solenoid HE! is provided which, when energized, exerts a downward pull on a connection 9a to the commodity end of the beam. The solenoid is energized by a circuit including a stationary contact l 28 and a movable contact l2l. The movable contact I2! is carried by a false platter I22 which is pivoted to commodity platter l05b. A spring I23 is preferably provided between members IIlEb and I22 to keep the contacts I28 and I 2| together when an article to be weighed is not in position on the platter. When an article is not in position on the platter, the beam I02b is locked in position. However, when an article is positioned on member I22 of the platter, the contact I2I is moved away from contact I20, breaking the circuit to solenoid HQ and releasing lever I022). If the article is overweight, the commodity end of beam I021) will move downwardly and will cause contact II 6a carried thereby to contact member I Ila and close the bell circuit II8a, giving a signal that the article is overweight. As soon as the article is removed, the beam I021) will again be locked in position.

It will be apparent from the above description that ing packages or articles wherein it can be determined quickly whether the packages or articles are underweight, overweight or correct weight. The overweight and underweight packages may be automatically rejected or a signal may be given indicating that they are overweight automatically separating the articles into groups according to their weight. In all forms of our weighing mechanism, the beam is anchored at balanced position, or any other predetermined position, before the article is positioned on the Therefore, the weighing operation will start from a predetermined position. The weighing mechanism which we have provided is of such a nature that the beam will We have provided means for i be unlocked automatically after a package or article to be weighed is positioned on the scale.

Various other advantages will be apparent from the preceding description, the drawings and the following claims.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim is:

i. A weighing scale comprising a base, a weighing lever fulcruined on said base for movement in a vertical plane, an article-receiving platform pivctally supported by said lever at one side of the fulcrum point thereof, counterbalancing means associated with the lever at the opposite side of the fulcrum point, locking means for preventing movement of said lever at in one direction, said locking means comprising a locking lever associated with said platform and mounted on said base for swinging movement, said locking lever having a portion which normally engages said. platform and prevents said movement of said weighing lever, said locking lever being so positioned that it will be engaged by an article placed on said platform to swing into such position as to move it out of engagement with said platform and thereby permit one side only of said platform to normally prevent movement of the weighing lever in one direction.

3. A weighing scale according to claim 1 

